Page 2 of How to Marry the Boss

I dart straight for the French doors at the left side corner of the closet that contains her dresses. I only need to shuffle through a few of them before I find the one I’m looking for.

“This is it!” I stare at the garment as I take it off the rack and turn to face Jocelyn.

The dress is so gorgeous, I find it hard to pull my gaze from it. But when I do, I notice my best friend’s awed expression.

“Where has your mom’s closet been all my life?”

Turning my gaze back to Josie, I show her the black, strapless dress with a keyhole just under the bust. Ruffles cascade down the length of the skirt.

Her eyes go wide. “It’s gorgeous.” She pauses. “Would your mom notice the dress missing?”

I shake my head. “She’s got so many clothes in here, she’ll never notice.”

My mother is too in her head to realize there are other people in the world besides her. Despite the fact she’s my mother, I’ve always considered her a stranger.

The dynamic in our family isn’t what anyone would call “normal.” Estranged is the word I’d use. I’m as close to my parents as someone would be to a roommate they tolerate.

Wasting no time, Josie and I rush back up to my room with the dress in hand. My bestie closes my bedroom door behind us.

I immediately strip off the dress I have on and don the other. As soon as the garment is on my body, I walk back to my full-length mirror. I can picture it now. I’m walking toward Jake’s direction. He can’t keep his eyes off me. Oh my god, just the thought makes my heart flutter. Even if nothing happens between us tonight, I have all summer and community college to catch his eye.

Sure, I applied to multiple colleges, but the truth was I didn’t care where I applied. I have my heart set on staying local for Jake.

I look at my best friend through the reflection. “I can’t reach the zipper. Can you zip me up?”

“I got you, girl.” Josie moves quickly behind me, zipping up the back. “Fits like a glove.”

Analyzing the dress, I instantly fall in love with what I’m seeing. The cleavage shows I have boobs. The dress hugs my waist, emphasizing my hips and curves.

“It’s perfect,” I almost squeal with excitement. “All I’m missing is?—”

“Black heels?” my best friend says with a smirk as she presents me with my favorite, sleek black heels.

Half an hour later, after putting on makeup, fixing our hair, and helping Jocelyn don on her short dress, we hear guests beginning to arrive.

“Now I’m ready.” I tell her, feeling satisfied and then some.

For the next twenty minutes, we sit in the kitchen and people watch. Like all parties in the past, everyone has dressed as though this party were a royal wedding, big, ridiculous hats and all. Josie and I find it hard not to laugh.

We’re caught off guard when we hear a deep voice that I know all too well. “So this is where the party is at.”

Jonathan Knight, my oldest brother, walks in with a bottle of champagne and a gift bag.

If he’s here, then so is Jake.

I try not to let that thought consume me whole, but it’s useless.

I force a smile on my face to hide my growing nerves and increasing heart rate. “As always.”

Nathan is in tow behind him. “Hey, baby sister.” He holds me in a hug.

“Hey yourself.”

Nathan lets me go when I hear the rough, deep, hypnotic voice I’ve been wanting to hear the most. “Hey, Mia.”

I look over to the side of Nate’s shoulder. The moment my gaze is on him, I feel my senses going into overdrive.

He has to notice my outfit, right?

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